Game controller

ABSTRACT

A both-handed game controller having grips is provided. A stick is provided at each of an upper left position and an upper right position viewed from a front surface of the controller, so that a player is allowed to operate the sticks with his/her thumbs when the player holds the grips. A direction key and a plurality of first type operation buttons are provided at positions inside the sticks, so that the player is allowed to operate them with the thumbs. Further, a second type operation button is provided between the two sticks, and a third type operation button is provided between the direction key and the plurality of first type operation buttons. Further, fourth type operation buttons are provided at both ends of an upper surface of the controller, respectively.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a game controller, and moreparticularly, to a game controller operated with both hands.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a game controller has been known, which is held andoperated with both hands, and includes two sticks, a cross key, and aplurality of operation buttons.

CITATION LIST Non Patent Literature

-   [NPL 1] “Instruction Manual for Classic Controller Pro”, Nintendo    Co., Ltd., Aug. 1, 2009

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The above-mentioned game controller having two analog sticks improvesoperability in a game. However, there is a case where the gamecontroller is difficult to operate under a specific condition. Forexample, in a case where the two sticks are positioned near the centerof the controller (to the front side relative to a cross key and ABXYbuttons) and both the sticks are simultaneously tilted inward, since thespace between the two sticks is narrow, it is difficult to tilt thesticks. Further, the sticks may impede a player from operating buttons.In particular, when operating a HOME button, a plus button, or a minusbutton, a player should press the button with a finger beyond the stick,and therefore, the player cannot press the button quickly. Further,since the two sticks are distant from L and R buttons, it is difficultto simultaneously operate the two sticks and the L and R buttons.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a two-handedgame controller which is easy to operate.

Solution to the Problems

The above object is achieved by the following configuration examples,for example.

A configuration example is a game controller that transmits, to apredetermined game apparatus, an operation input performed by a user.The game controller includes: grips held with left and right hands of aplayer, respectively; an operation section provided on an outer surfaceof a housing of the game controller, the operation section causing theplayer holding the grips to perform an operation input; and acommunication section that wirelessly communicates with thepredetermined game apparatus. The operation section includes: a firststick that is provided at an upper left position in a front surface ofthe housing of the game controller, which position allows the player tooperate the first stick with a thumb of his/her left hand when theplayer holds the grips; a second stick that is provided at an upperright position in the front surface of the housing of the gamecontroller, which position allows the player to operate the second stickwith a thumb of his/her right hand when the player holds the grips; adirection key that is provided at a position close to the center of thehousing relative to the first stick on the front surface of the housing,which position allows the player to operate the direction key with thethumb of the left hand when the player holds the grips; a plurality offirst type operation buttons that are provided at a position close tothe center of the housing relative to the second stick on the frontsurface of the housing, which position allows the player to operate thefirst type operation buttons with the thumb of the right hand when theplayer holds the grips; one or more second type operation button(s) thatis provided at a position close to the center of the housing relative tothe first stick and the second stick on the front surface of thehousing, and above the direction key and the plurality of first typeoperation buttons; a third type operation button that is provided at aposition beneath the second type operation button(s) on the frontsurface of the housing, and between the direction key and the pluralityof first type operation buttons; and a plurality of fourth typeoperation buttons provided at positions in the vicinity of left andright ends of an upper surface of the housing of the game controller,respectively, which positions allow the player to operate the fourthtype operation buttons with his/her left and right index fingers,respectively, when the player holds the grips.

According to another configuration example, the direction key may beprovided at a position to the right side of and beneath the first stick,which position allows the player to operate the direction key with thethumb of the left hand when the player holds the grips, and theplurality of first type operation buttons may be provided at a positionto the left side of and beneath the second stick, which position allowsthe player to operate the first type operation buttons with the thumb ofthe right hand when the player holds the grips.

According to another configuration example, the second type operationbutton(s) may be used for system operation of the predetermined gameapparatus, and the third type operation button may be used for powercontrol of the game apparatus.

According to another configuration example, the game controller mayfurther include a first light emitting section including a plurality ofLEDs, which is positioned at the center and lower end of the frontsurface of the housing. The first light emitting section may turn on oneof the plurality of LEDs in accordance with information thatdistinguishes the game controller from another game controller, when thegame controller is connected to the predetermined game apparatus.

According to another configuration example, the game controller mayfurther include a second light emitting section that is positionedsubstantially in the center of the front surface of the housing, andabove the second type operation button(s). The second light emittingsection may be used for indicating information relating to a batterystored in the game controller.

According to another configuration example, the game controller mayfurther include a vibration section that generates vibration based on acontrol signal supplied from the predetermined game apparatus, thevibration section being provided inside the grips.

According to another configuration example, the vibration section may beprovided inside the grip on the side where the direction key isprovided.

According to another configuration example, at least one of the firststick and the second stick may be a push-button type analog stick thatis pushed to be operated.

According to another configuration example, the game controller may beconfigured so that a predetermined battery is stored in a center area ofa back surface of the housing, and a portion of the housing where thebattery is stored is thinner than the grips, and flat.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a gamecontroller which is easy to operate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a left side view of a game controller.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a front view of the game controller.

FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating a right side view of the gamecontroller.

FIG. 1D is a diagram illustrating a rear view of the game controller.

FIG. 1E is a diagram illustrating a top view of the game controller.

FIG. 1F is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of the game controller.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation.

FIG. 3A is a top view illustrating an example of dimensions of the gamecontroller.

FIG. 3B is a front view illustrating an example of dimensions of thegame controller.

FIG. 3C is a bottom view illustrating a non-limiting example ofdimensions of the game controller.

FIG. 3D is a right side view illustrating a non-limiting example ofdimensions of the game controller.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a game controller (hereinafter referred to simply as acontroller) according to an embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed. The controller according to the present embodiment includes acommunication section capable of wireless communication, and iswirelessly connected to a predetermined information processing apparatus(e.g., a game apparatus) when it is used. Any communication standard maybe adopted for the wireless communication. For example, a short-rangewireless communication technology such as Bluetooth (registeredtrademark) or WiFi Direct is adopted.

FIG. 1 illustrates an external view of a controller 1. FIG. 1A is a leftside view of the controller 1, FIG. 1B is a front view of the controller1, FIG. 1C is a right side view of the controller 1, FIG. 1D is a rearview of the controller 1, FIG. 1E is a top view of the controller 1, andFIG. 1F is a bottom view of the controller 1. The controller 1 mainlyincludes: a housing 2 having left and right grips 3L and 3R (hereinafteralso collectively referred to as grips 3); and an operation section thatincludes two analog sticks projecting from openings provided at a frontsurface of the housing 2, and a plurality of operation buttons(described later). The housing 2 of the present embodiment, when viewedfrom the front side thereof, has a gentle trapezoid shape with itsleft-right direction being a longitudinal direction. The housing 2 is alittle recessed at its upper side, and is recessed more at its lowerside than at the upper side. In other words, the housing 2 is shapedsuch that the grips 3L and 3R extend toward the bottom surface side(toward the player when he/she holds the controller). The front surfaceof the housing 2 is substantially flat except the portions where theanalog sticks are provided. The portions where the analog sticks areprovided are slightly raised. The grips 3L and 3R are shaped so as togently curve from the front surface to the back surface. Note that thehousing 2 of the present embodiment is formed by plastic molding, forexample.

A first analog stick 11 (hereinafter referred to as a left stick) isprovided on the left end of the front surface of the housing 2 and inthe vicinity of the upper surface of the housing 2, and a second analogstick 12 (hereinafter referred to as a right stick) is provided on theright end of the front surface of the housing 2 and in the vicinity ofthe upper surface of the housing 2. More specifically, the left stick 11is provided at a position that allows a player to operate the left stick11 with a thumb of his/her left hand that holds the grip 3L (morepreferably, a position on which the thumb of the left hand that holdsthe grip 3L is naturally put). The right stick 12 is provided at aposition that allows the player to operate the right stick 12 with athumb of his/her right hand that holds the grip 3R (more preferably, aposition on which the thumb of the right hand that holds the grip 3R isnaturally put). Each of the left stick 11 and the right stick 12 is astick that can be tilted down to an arbitrary direction chosen from a360° range, and is used by the player to give an instruction about anarbitrary direction. Further, each of the left stick 11 and the rightstick 12 can be pushed toward the back surface. Thus, the left stick 11and the right stick 12 also serve as push buttons. The left stick 11 andthe right stick 12 act in accordance with a program executed by aninformation processing apparatus (e.g., a game apparatus) to which thecontroller is connected. Since the interval between the left stick 11and the right stick 12 is increased as compared to the conventionalcontroller, even when the player tilts down the left stick 11 and theright stick 12 toward the center of the housing 2, the interval betweenthe left and right thumbs of the player is not narrow, which allows theplayer to perform operations easily.

A cross key (also referred to as a direction key) 21 is provided at aposition to the left of the substantial center position on the frontsurface of the housing 2, and near the center position relative to theleft stick 11, at which the player is allowed to operate the cross keywith the thumb of the left hand that holds the grip 3L. Specifically,the cross key 21 is provided at a position to the right of and beneaththe left stick 11. The cross key 21 is a cross-shaped four-directionpush switch. The cross key 21 includes operation portions correspondingto the four directions (front, rear, right and left), which arerespectively located on cross-shaped projecting portions arranged atintervals of 90 degrees. The player selects one of the front, rear,right, and left directions by pressing one of the operation portions ofthe cross key 21. The cross key 21 acts in accordance with a programexecuted by an information processing apparatus (e.g., a game apparatus)to which the controller is connected. The shape of the cross key 21 isnot limited to that shown in FIG. 1B. The cross key 21 may have anyshape as long as it allows the player to input the four directions. Forexample, the cross key 21 may have a shape of a round base with aprotruding cross shape, or may be a set of four keys separated from eachother.

Further, operation buttons 22A to 22D (hereinafter also referred to as afirst operation button set) are positioned so as to form a cross shape,i.e., positioned rightward, downward, leftward, and upward,respectively, in an area to the right of the substantial center of thefront surface of the housing 2, and near the center of the housing 2relative to the right stick 12, at which the player is allowed tooperate the operation buttons 22A to 22D with the thumb of the righthand that holds the grip 3R. More specifically, the operation buttons22A to 22D are positioned so as to form a cross shape, i.e., positionedrightward, downward, leftward, and upward, respectively, in an area tothe left of and beneath the right stick 12. The operation buttons 22A to22D are appropriately assigned functions, respectively, in accordancewith a program executed by the information processing apparatus to whichthe controller 1 is connected. For example, the operation buttons 22A to22D are used for determination operation, cancellation operation, andthe like.

As described above, since the cross key 21 is positioned to the right ofand beneath the left stick 11, the ball of the thumb of the left hand ofthe player reaches the position of the cross key 21 when the playermoves the thumb with the base of the thumb being a fulcrum point, asshown in FIG. 2. In other words, the player is allowed to move the ballof the thumb to the position of the cross key 21 by only moving thethumb to the right with the base of the thumb being a fulcrum point,without particularly changing the position of holding the grip 3L. Inaddition, the player is allowed to return the thumb to the position ofthe left stick 11 by moving the thumb to the left. That is, the playeris allowed to easily move the thumb between the left stick 11 and thecross key 21, thereby improving the operability. In other words, whenthe player operates the cross key 21, it is possible to avoid thesituation that the stick is positioned between the tip of the thumb (theposition of the cross-key) and the base of the thumb, and impedes theplayer's operation, which results in reduction in the operability.

Likewise, since the first operation button set (operation buttons 22A to22D) is positioned to the left side of and beneath the right stick 12,the player is allowed to move the thumb of the right hand between theright stick 12 and the first operation button set by only moving thethumb with the base of the thumb being a fulcrum point. Thereby, theplayer is allowed to easily move the thumb between the right stick 12and the first operation button set, and thus the operability isimproved.

An L button 25L is provided at the left end of the upper surface of thehousing 2 and near the front surface of the housing 2, and a ZL button26L is provided beneath the L button 25L (near the back surface relativeto the L button 25L). An R button 25R is provided at the right end ofthe upper surface of the housing 2 and near the front surface of thehousing 2, and a ZR button 26R is provided beneath the R button 25R(near the back surface relative to the R button 25R). The L button 25Lis provided at a position reached by an index finger of a left hand thatholds the grip 3L, and the ZL button 26L is provided at a positionreached by a middle finger and a ring finger of the left hand. The Rbutton 25R is provided at a position reached by an index finger of aright hand that holds the grip 3R, and the ZR button 26R is provided ata position reached by a middle finger and a ring finger of the righthand. The L button 25L, the R button 25R, the ZL button 26L, and the ZRbutton 26R are appropriately assigned functions, respectively, inaccordance with a program executed by the information processingapparatus.

Further, system operation buttons 23A to 23C are provided at a positionin the center of the front surface of the housing 2, near the uppersurface of the housing 2, and between the left stick 11 and the rightstick 12. The system operation buttons 23A to 23C (hereinafter alsoreferred to as a second operation button set) are assigned functions asa minus button, a home button, a plus button, and the like. These systemoperation buttons 23A to 23C are assigned operation functions,respectively, in accordance with a program executed by the informationprocessing apparatus to which the controller 1 is connected. In thepresent embodiment, for example, operations to be directly controlled bythe system of the game apparatus are assumed. For example, when the homebutton 23B is pressed, game processing, even if it is being executed, isstopped, and the screen is changed to the home screen. When the minusbutton 23A or the plus button 23C is pressed, the image displayed in thehome screen is changed (paging or scrolling is performed). Since theleft stick 11 and the right stick 12 are positioned near the both endsof the upper surface, respectively, a sufficient space is securedbetween the sticks, and a plurality of system operation buttons can beprovided in the space such that the sticks do not impede the player fromoperating the system operation buttons.

Further, a power operation button 28 is provided at a position in thecenter of the front surface of the housing 2, near the bottom surface ofthe housing 2, and between the cross key 21 and the operation buttons22A to 22D (first operation button set). In other words, the cross key21 and the first button set are spaced apart from each other at acertain interval in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) inFIG. 1B, and the power operation button 28 is positioned between (inFIG. 1B, in the middle between) the cross key 21 and the first buttonset. The power operation button 28 is a power switch forremote-controlling the power of the information processing apparatusbody to be on and off. The power operation button 28 has a top surfaceburied in the front surface of the housing 2 so as not to beinadvertently pressed by the player. Since the left stick 11 and theright stick 12 are positioned near the upper surface, the player neednot move his/her fingers beyond the sticks when pressing the systemoperation buttons 23A to 23C or the power operation button 28, and thusthe player can easily press the buttons.

Further, a plurality of indicators are provided on the front surface ofthe housing 2 and near the bottom surface relative to the poweroperation button 28. Specifically, LEDs 31A to 31D are provided. Aplurality of controllers may be connected to the information processingapparatus to which the controller 1 is connected. A controller type(number) is assigned to the controller 1 such that the controller 1 isdistinguishable from other controllers. The LEDs 31A to 31D are used forinforming the player of the controller type that is currently set in thecontroller 1. The controller number is instructed from the informationprocessing apparatus. Specifically, while the controller 1 iscommunicating with the information processing apparatus, one of theplurality of LEDs 31A to 31D is turned on in accordance with aninstruction from the information processing apparatus. The LEDs 31A to31D are provided between and beneath the cross key 21 and the operationbuttons 22A to 22D, and the space between the cross key 21 and theoperation buttons 22A to 22D is increased at the lower side due to thearrangement of the operation buttons 22A to 22D, and therefore, asufficient space for providing the plurality of LEDs is secured at thelower side. Further, while there is a case where the player moves thefingers inward beyond the positions of the sticks when operating thesticks, it is rare that the player moves the fingers inward beyond thepositions of the buttons when operating the buttons, and therefore, theplurality of LEDs are less likely to be covered with the fingers duringthe operation. Accordingly, the LEDs are highly visible during theoperation.

Further, a charging indicator 32 is provided near the upper surface ofthe housing 2 relative to the second operation button set. The chargingindicator 32 is used for informing the player of the remaining batterylevel of the controller 1, and the state of charge of the controller 1,for example. For example, the charging indicator 32 can inform theplayer of the state of charge by using colors of an LED. In contrast tothe LEDs 31A to 31D, the charging indicator 32 of the present embodimentis solely provided in a broad area on the housing, which area is notlikely to be covered with the player's hand during the operation, andtherefore, is noticeable, which allows the player to easily find achange of the indicator, for example, a change in the color of theindicator. Accordingly, the player easily recognizes a reduction in theremaining battery level.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1E, a charging connector 33 is provided at aposition in the center of the upper surface of the housing 2 and nearthe front surface of the housing 2. The charging connector 33 is, forexample, a connector corresponding to a mini USB terminal, and iscapable of charging the controller 1 when it is connected to a powersupply by using a predetermined cable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1D, on the back surface of the housing 2, abattery cover 35 is provided in a center area sandwiched between theleft and right grips. A battery is stored inside the cover. Further, thecenter area of the housing 2 (hereinafter referred to as a batterystorage area) is recessed relative to the left and right grips and thearea where the ZL button 26L and the ZR button 26R are present (refer toFIGS. 1A, 1C, 1E, and 1F). That is, the center area where the battery isstored is recessed, and only this area is reduced in thickness (in otherwords, only the grips 3L and 3R and the area where the ZL button 26L andthe ZR button 26R are stored are raised). In the conventional art, sincethe sticks are positioned near the center of the housing, the thicknessof the center portion of the housing is somewhat increased due toinfluence of the sizes of parts, and the like. In contrast, in thepresent embodiment, since the left stick 11 and the right stick 12 areprovided outward when viewed from the back surface (near the both endsof the front surface), the thickness of the center area is reduced,which allows the player to easily hold the housing 2. Further, two smallholes are opened in an upper end portion of the battery cover 35. In oneof the holes (the left-side hole in FIG. 1D), a connect button 36 isprovided, which is used for establishing wireless connection (pairing)between the controller 1 and the information processing apparatus. Inthe other hole (the right-side hole in FIG. 1D), a reset switch 37 forresetting the controller 1 is provided.

Further, a vibrator that generates vibration based on a control signalfrom the information processing apparatus may be provided inside thegrips 3. Preferably, the vibrator is provided inside the grip 3L. Inother words, it is preferable that the vibrator be included in the leftstick 11 that is supposed to be used mainly for direction inputoperation, or in a grip on the side where the cross key 21 is present.When the player operates the controller 1 with his/her both hands,particularly when the player continuously operates the cross key 21,more force is applied to the left hand (the left hand holds the gripmore tightly than the right hand). Therefore, it is considered that thecontroller 1 is more likely to be supported by the hand which mainlyperforms direction control, and vibration is more likely to betransmitted to the player when the vibrator is provided in the grip 3L.

In addition, a communication section for wireless communication with theinformation processing apparatus is also included in the housing 2.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of examples of intervals anddimensions of the above-described buttons and the like, as a specificexample of arrangement of the buttons and the like. However, theintervals and dimensions described below are merely examples, andintervals and dimensions approximated to those described below are alsowithin the scope of the present invention. Also when the relationshipsbetween the locations, intervals, and dimensions are represented asratios, ratios approximated to the represented ratios are also withinthe scope of the present invention.

Note that FIG. 3A is a top view of the controller 1, FIG. 3B is a frontview of the controller 1, FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the controller 1,and FIG. 3D is a right side view of the controller 1.

With reference to FIG. 3B, the interval in the horizontal directionbetween the most left end of the grip 3L and the most right end of thegrip 3R when viewed from the front side is a length that allows theplayer to hold the grips 3L and 3R with both hands. Specifically, it isabout 140 mm to 180 mm, and for example, 161 mm. The interval in thevertical direction between the lowermost end of the grip 3L and theuppermost end of the L button 25L is a length that allows the player tooperate the L button 25L when holding the grip. Specifically, it isabout 100 mm to 115 mm, and for example, 106.74 mm.

The interval in the horizontal direction between (the center of) theleft stick 11 and (the center of) the right stick 12 is an interval thatallows the player to easily operate the sticks with thumbs when holdingthe grips with both hands. In addition, the interval avoids thesituation that the sticks impede the player from operating otherbuttons. Specifically, it is about 80 mm to 100 mm, and for example, 92mm. Note that a middle point between the left stick 11 and the rightstick 12 in the horizontal direction is substantially on a center lineof the housing 2 in the horizontal direction (on a line that verticallypasses a center point in the horizontal direction in FIG. 3B, morespecifically, on a line that overlaps a line A-A′ in FIG. 3B).

In FIG. 3B, the interval in the horizontal direction between the systemoperation buttons 23A and 23C is a length that prevents the buttons frombeing excessively close to the sticks. Specifically, it is about 20 mmto 30 mm, and for example, 26 mm. The system operation button 23B ispositioned substantially on the center line of the housing 2 in thehorizontal direction.

Further, in FIG. 3B, the power operation button 28 is positionedsubstantially on the center line of the housing 2 in the horizontaldirection. The interval between the center of the cross key 21 and thecenter of the power operation button 28 is a length that allows theplayer to easily operate the power operation button 28 with a thumb whenholding the grips. Specifically, it is about 20 mm to 40 mm, and forexample, 29 mm. The interval in the horizontal direction between thepower operation button 28 and the center of the first operation buttonset (a vertical line passing the center of the operation button 22B) isa length that allows the player to easily operate the power operationbutton 28 with a thumb when holding the grips. Specifically, it is about20 mm to 40 mm, and for example, 29 mm. The center of the cross key 21,the center of the power operation button 28, and the center of the firstoperation button set substantially coincide with each other on the axisin the vertical direction.

Further, in FIG. 3B, the interval in the horizontal direction betweenthe operation buttons 22D and 22A is about 15 mm to 30 mm, and forexample, 22 mm. The interval in the vertical direction between theoperation buttons 22C and 22B is about 14 mm to 28 mm, and for example,20 mm. The interval in the vertical direction between the center of theright stick 12 and the center of the operation button 22A is a lengththat allows the player to operate them with a thumb. Specifically, it isabout 20 mm to 30 mm, and for example, 24.48 mm. The interval in thevertical direction between the power operation button 28 and the centerof the system operation button 23B is about 15 mm to 20 mm, and forexample, 18.48 mm.

Further, in FIG. 3B, the interval in the vertical direction between thelowermost end of the grip 3L and the center of the cross key 21 is about40 mm to 60 mm, and for example, 52.94 mm.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, a middle point between the ZL button 26Land the ZR button 26R in the horizontal direction is substantially onthe center line of the housing 2 in the horizontal direction (on analternate long and short dash line in FIG. 3A). A middle point betweenthe L button 25L and the R button 25R is also substantially on thecenter line of the housing 2 in the horizontal direction. The L button25L, the R button 25R, the ZL button 26L, and the ZR button 26R arearranged such that the positions thereof in the horizontal direction areclose to the left stick 11 and the right stick 12, respectively. Theinterval in the horizontal direction between the center of the ZL button26L and the center of the ZR button 26R is about 80 mm to 100 mm, andfor example, 93.1 mm.

With reference to FIG. 3D, the interval in the depth direction betweenthe upper end of the right stick 12 and the lowermost end of the grip 3Ris a length that allows the player to easily hold the grip 3R with righthand. Specifically, it is about 44 mm to 65 mm, and for example, 56.84mm. The interval between the upper end of the right stick 12 and thelowermost end of a projecting portion in which the ZR button 26R isstored is specifically about 44 mm to 65 mm, and for example, 58.08 mm.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3C, the thickness between thefront surface to the back surface in the battery storage area (thethickness of a cross section taken along a line A-A′ in FIG. 3B) is26.42 mm. If the sticks are positioned close to the center, thethickness of the housing increases due to the sizes of the stick-relatedparts. In the above-described configuration, however, since the sticksare positioned close to the upper both ends of the housing, thethickness of the center portion of the housing is reduced. The centerportion with the reduced thickness enhances the feeling of gripping. Theheight of the right stick 12 from the front surface is about 7 mm to 13mm, and for example, 10 mm (the same is true for the left stick 11).

According to the above-described configuration, the two analog sticksare positioned in the upper right portion and the upper left portion ofthe housing 2, respectively, when the housing 2 is viewed from the frontthereof, such that the player is allowed to operate the sticks with leftand right thumbs when holding the grips 3L and 3R, respectively.Therefore, it is possible to secure a sufficient interval between thetwo sticks in the horizontal direction, thereby improving theoperability of each analog stick.

Further, the cross key 21 and the first operation button set arepositioned inside relative to the two analog sticks. Therefore, ascompared to a controller in which a cross key (whose key top is lowerthan analog sticks) is positioned outside relative to the analog sticks(which are higher than the cross key), it is possible to avoid such asituation that the analog sticks that are higher than the cross keyimpede the player from operating the cross key. Thus, the operability isimproved. The same can be said for the second operation button set. Thatis, since the second operation button set is positioned inside relativeto the two analog sticks, the height of the analog sticks does notinterfere with the player's fingers, which allows the player to easilyoperate these buttons.

Further, since the cross key 21 and the first operation button set arepositioned with a certain interval between them, even if the left andright thumbs are put on the cross key 21 and the first operation buttonset, respectively, the thumbs are prevented from touching andinterfering with each other, and thus the cross key 21 and the firstoperation button set are improved in operability. Further, as formovement of the left thumb between the left stick 11 and the cross key21 and movement of the right thumb between the right stick 12 and thefirst operation button set, the player can move each thumb easily andnaturally with the base of the thumb as a fulcrum point. Therefore, theplayer can easily operate them.

Further, since the parts of the analog sticks, each having a certainvolume in the depth direction because of its configuration when providedon the housing 2, are located in the upper right position and the upperleft position of the housing 2, respectively, it is possible to reducethe thickness of the battery storage area of the housing 2 (the areacorresponding to the battery cover 35 when viewed from the back surfaceof the housing 2). As a result, when the player holds the grips 3L and3R with both hands, there is no obstacle to fingers put on the backsurface, which allows the player to easily hold the grips 3L and 3R. Inaddition, the weight balance of the entire controller is appropriatelyadjusted in view of ease for holding, which contributes to improvementof operability.

Further, the above-described arrangement of the two analog sticks causesthe left stick 11 and the L button 25L to be positioned close to eachother, and causes the right stick 12 and the R button 25R to bepositioned close to each other. As a result, it is possible to improvethe operability of operation of the L button 25L and the R button 25R byusing left and right index fingers with thumbs being put on the analogsticks. For example, it is possible to improve the operability in a casewhere either of the analog sticks and either of the L and R buttons 25Land 25R are operated simultaneously.

Further, as described above, the left stick 11 and the right stick 12also serve as push buttons. Since the two analog sticks are positionedsuch that, when the player holds the grips 3, thumbs of his/her bothhands naturally touch the sticks, the player is allowed to push theanalog sticks with the hands and fingers holding the grips 3 being intheir natural positions, and moreover, the player is allowed to easilytilt the analog sticks in the natural positions.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A game controller according to the present invention can improveoperability, and is useful as a game controller or the like for variouskinds of game apparatuses and personal computers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   -   1 controller    -   2 housing    -   3L grip (left)    -   3R grip (right)    -   11 left stick    -   12 right stick    -   21 cross key    -   22A operation button    -   22B operation button    -   22C operation button    -   22D operation button    -   23A minus button    -   23B home button    -   23C plus button    -   25L L button    -   25R R button    -   26L ZL button    -   26R ZR button    -   31A LED    -   31B LED    -   31C LED    -   31D LED    -   32 charging indicator    -   33 charging connector    -   35 battery cover    -   36 connect button    -   37 reset button

1. A game controller that transmits, to a predetermined game apparatus,an operation input performed by a user, the game controller comprising:grips held with left and right hands of a player, respectively; anoperation section provided on an outer surface of a housing of the gamecontroller, the operation section causing the player holding the gripsto perform an operation input; and a communication section thatwirelessly communicates with the predetermined game apparatus, whereinthe operation section comprises: a first stick that is provided at anupper left position in a front surface of the housing of the gamecontroller, which position allows the player to operate the first stickwith a thumb of his/her left hand when the player holds the grips; asecond stick that is provided at an upper right position in the frontsurface of the housing of the game controller, which position allows theplayer to operate the second stick with a thumb of his/her right handwhen the player holds the grips; a direction key that is provided at aposition close to the center of the housing relative to the first stickon the front surface of the housing, which position allows the player tooperate the direction key with the thumb of the left hand when theplayer holds the grips; a plurality of first type operation buttons thatare provided at a position close to the center of the housing relativeto the second stick on the front surface of the housing, which positionallows the player to operate the first type operation buttons with thethumb of the right hand when the player holds the grips; one or moresecond type operation button(s) that is provided at a position close tothe center of the housing relative to the first stick and the secondstick on the front surface of the housing, and above the direction keyand the plurality of first type operation buttons; a third typeoperation button that is provided at a position beneath the second typeoperation button(s) on the front surface of the housing, and between thedirection key and the plurality of first type operation buttons; and aplurality of fourth type operation buttons provided at positions in thevicinity of left and right ends of an upper surface of the housing ofthe game controller, respectively, which positions allow the player tooperate the fourth type operation buttons with his/her left and rightindex fingers, respectively, when the player holds the grips.
 2. Thegame controller according to claim 1, wherein the direction key isprovided at a position to the right side of and beneath the first stick,which position allows the player to operate the direction key with thethumb of the left hand when the player holds the grips, and theplurality of first type operation buttons are provided at a position tothe left side of and beneath the second stick, which position allows theplayer to operate the first type operation buttons with the thumb of theright hand when the player holds the grips.
 3. The game controlleraccording to claim 1, wherein the second type operation button(s) isused for system operation of the predetermined game apparatus, and thethird type operation button is used for power control of the gameapparatus.
 4. The game controller according to claim 1, furthercomprising a first light emitting section including a plurality of LEDs,which is positioned at the center and lower end of the front surface ofthe housing, wherein the first light emitting section turns on one ofthe plurality of LEDs in accordance with information that distinguishesthe game controller from another game controller, when the gamecontroller is connected to the predetermined game apparatus.
 5. The gamecontroller according to claim 1, further comprising a second lightemitting section that is positioned substantially in the center of thefront surface of the housing, and above the second type operationbutton(s), wherein the second light emitting section is used forindicating information relating to a battery stored in the gamecontroller.
 6. The game controller according to claim 1, furthercomprising a vibration section that generates vibration based on acontrol signal supplied from the predetermined game apparatus, thevibration section being provided inside the grips.
 7. The gamecontroller according to claim 6, wherein the vibration section isprovided inside the grip on the side where the direction key isprovided.
 8. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein at leastone of the first stick and the second stick is a push-button type analogstick that is pushed to be operated.
 9. The game controller according toclaim 1, wherein the game controller is configured so that apredetermined battery is stored in a center area of a back surface ofthe housing, and a portion of the housing where the battery is stored isthinner than the grips, and flat.